Russell Brand Charged With Rape, Sexual Assault by UK Police
LONDON — Russell Brand has been formally accused of rape and sexual assault by British police on Friday, following an investigation lasting a year and a half. The inquiry began after four women claimed the controversial comedian had assaulted them.
According to London’s Metropolitan Police, Brand, who is 50 years old, is facing charges that include one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault.
The alleged crimes involve four different women and are said to have occurred between 1999 and 2005 in central London and Bournemouth, a coastal town in England.
The police have stated that the investigation is still ongoing and are encouraging anyone who may have relevant information to get in touch with them.
In September of the previous year, 2023, British media outlets, specifically Channel 4 and the Sunday Times, released allegations from four women who claimed to have been sexually assaulted or raped by Brand. The identities of these accusers have not been revealed.
Brand, a comedian, author, and actor known for his role in “Get Him To The Greek,” has denied the allegations, asserting that his relationships were “always consensual.”
Famous for his unrestrained and often provocative stand-up performances, Brand has hosted both radio and television programs, authored memoirs detailing his struggles with substance abuse, acted in a number of Hollywood films, and was briefly married to the pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.
In recent times, Brand has largely disappeared from mainstream media, but he has cultivated a significant online following with videos that combine wellness topics with conspiracy theories. He recently mentioned that he had relocated to the United States.
Brand is scheduled to appear in a London court on May 2.
Jaswant Narwal, representing Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service, stated that prosecutors “carefully examined the evidence” following a police investigation prompted by allegations aired in a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
“We have reached the conclusion that Russell Brand should face charges for offenses, including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault,” Narwal stated.
“The Crown Prosecution Service would like to remind everyone that criminal proceedings are currently active, and the defendant is entitled to a fair trial.”
In January, the BBC issued an apology to its staff members who felt unable to lodge complaints regarding Brand’s behavior due to his celebrity status. Brand had two weekly radio shows on the BBC between 2006 and 2008 and also contributed to several short-term projects on an intermittent basis.
The BBC has acknowledged that “it is clear that presenters have been able to exploit their positions” in the past.